Dr. Kanae Komaki (2018) wrote from Japan that she completed a course on AI and has developed a proposal for an AI-based policy tool that could be applied to the review of contractor monitoring reports to the International Seabed Authority (ISA). She presented her proposal to the 2nd ISA Expert Scoping Workshop held in Kobe, Japan, in preparation for the possible transition to the exploitation phase of deep-seabed mining in the Area beyond national jurisdiction. Dr. Komaki’s proposal would enhance transparency and collaboration in the ISA environmental review process. More recently, Dr. Komaki had an opportunity to meet and interact with the new Secretary-General for ISA, Leticia Reis de Carvalho.

Monika Thiele (2003) provided a fascinating talk for the SMEA 550A Special Topics course Fall Quarter, introducing her work as Special Advisor, Global Ocean Governance for the United Nations Environment Program, Nairobi, Kenya, on the recently ratified international agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. The agreement will enter into force in January 2026. Small world coincidence – Monika’s former boss is the new Secretary-General for ISA. 

[With apologies to all alumni who live too far away to attend] The November SMEA Community Reception was a King Tide of local events— awash with SMEA alumni and current students. I spent the whole evening meeting and talking. I barely had time to grab a plate full of the sumptuous foods and a glass of refreshing wine. We shared a lot of memories, and I learned a lot about the ways SMEA graduates are contributing to making the world a better place. The hubbub level of conversations in the room drowned out everything else. Over 80 alumni and students attended, and another 20 or 30 who registered but did not appear. I did not take notes, so I am relying on my increasingly faulty memory to report some of the highlights of people I met.

Michael Jacobsen (1994) continues his work to investigate and report on the remarkable boats and cultures of Orchid Island, Taiwan. Nina Hadley (1998) is now Senior Director of Re: wild, an organization of “conservation scientists partnering with Leonardo DiCaprio to give agency to people in positions to rewild our planet.” Brett Veerhusen (2014) is the Principal at Ocean Strategies, a national go-to public affairs firm focused on seafood, fisheries, and marine resources. George Blomberg (1979) is Senior Environmental Program Manager for the Port of Seattle. Jamie Goen is Executive Director at Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers. Tanya Pelach (2022) is Deputy Director of the Quinault Division of Natural Resources.

Chris Woodley is Executive Director of Groundfish Forum. Kyle Antonelis (2013) is vice-president of Natural Resources Consultants. Joe Inslee (2013) is Project Manager, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Amanda Fischer (1994) is the newly appointed Director of International Relations and Protocol, Washington State, Office of the Governor. Kathleen Pozarycki (2007) is Senior Planner, Snohomish County, and Dr. Kristin Hoelting (2011) is Social Science Researcher, NOAA. Sarah Nayani (20150) is the Director, Arctic Storm fishing company. 

Adi Hanein (2014) is Special Assistant to the OAR Deputy Assistant Administrator, and Manjari Misra (2020) is the Seattle Aquarium’s Marine Conservationist and Educator. Allen Shimada (1985) is retired! From a career at NOAA and has moved back to Washington. He serves on the SMEA Director’s Council. I regret that there were many more with whom I didn’t have a chance to talk

Many thanks to the anonymous donor who underwrote the reception expenses! 

What is this column? We are experimenting with ways to engage with our alumni and to inspire current students with their accomplishments. This column is a random walk through what I have recently observed about or heard from our SMEA alumni. By Beachcomber Dave Fluharty, SMEA Emeritus Faculty.